Esperanza holds off Fountain Valley to share Sunset title
Esperanza holds off Fountain Valley to share Sunset title
Fountain Valley vs. Esperanza recap
HUNTINGTON BEACH - Leading by only four points early in the third quarter Friday at Huntington Beach High, Esperanza did not panic after taking possession on its own 10-yard line.
Instead, the fourth-ranked Aztecs displayed their trademark patience, grinding out a 15-play, 90-yard touchdown drive that proved to be the springboard to a 21-3 victory over Fountain Valley (5-5, 1-4).
The victory gave Esperanza (9-1, 4-1) a share of the Sunset League title, and it will enter the CIF playoffs as the league's No. 2 representative.
"This league is five teams deep, and every game's a war," Esperanza coach Bill Pendleton said. "Only one team walks away from the CIF playoffs happy, but they can't take away a league championship."
Jared Moore punched in a 86-yard score on the pivotal drive, added a 12-yard scoring run three minutes later and finished with 101 yards on 22 carries. Reid Williams scored the Aztecs' first touchdown and gained 132 yards on 22 carries.
Contact the writer: preps@ocregister.com
